27 INDESCRIBABLY BEAUTIFUL

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Julian asks nervously. His friends have just arrived—one of them is a makeup artist, and Julian assures me they're trustworthy and would never spill our secret.

As they step inside, I can't shake the feeling that I've seen their faces before, though I can't place exactly where.

I glance at Julian, my confidence in this plan unwavering. He's beautiful—objectively so. His smooth, milky skin and naturally graceful features are undeniable assets.

His slender frame will work in our favor. The real challenge is teaching him how to walk in heels, which I assume he'll need for this to succeed.

We spend most of the night practicing, but Julian struggles. Every wobble and near-trip sends us into fits of laughter, even though, deep down, we're both hurting. This isn't easy for either of us.

°

"Jesus, Julian, we thought you were in some kind of danger!" one of his friends exclaims, rushing forward to hug him tightly. This one's talkative, with a vibrant energy that fills the room.

"Sorry," Julian replies with a sheepish grin. "This is an emergency too."

"What is it? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Julian reassures them quickly. "I'll explain everything later. But first, let me tell you about the mess we're in and why I called you."

The talkative one's eyes widen, and he jumps to conclusions. "Don't tell me you two finally got together and didn't even bother to tell me! Now you want to tell me because there's a problem? Wait... so, he's bisexual?" He gestures toward me, clearly intrigued.

The quieter one, who seems more mature, gives him a subtle nudge, likely signaling him to tone it down.

"Hell no!" Julian blurts out, laughing. "He's totally gay!"

I groan, punching Julian lightly on the back, which only makes him laugh harder.

His friends exchange skeptical glances, but the quieter one intervenes. "Don't judge a book by its cover. So, Julian, what is it you need us to do?"

Julian takes a deep breath. "It's a complicated situation, but understandable—at least, I hope so. Don't ask too many questions now. I'll explain later. For now, I need to look like a girl."

Their reactions are priceless.

The talkative one, is the first to break the silence. "Hold on—what?! Is he making you do this because he's not out yet? Julian, if that's the case, trust me, this relationship is doomed. If he's embarrassed to be with you as you are, he'll eventually leave you for a woman—"

"Ryan, stop!" the quieter one interjects firmly. "You're being nosy, and you don't know the full story. Julian's a grown man; he knows what he's doing. He said it's complicated and understandable, so stop judging."

Julian looks visibly uncomfortable and speaks up. "Can we just get on with this? We don't have much time."

As they head upstairs, I can't help but feel uneasy. Ryan's earlier remarks play in my head, making me paranoid that he might influence Julian to change his mind about everything. Panic bubbles inside me.

Just as I'm about to follow them, the quieter stops me. His calm demeanor is disarming. "Relax," he says, as if reading my thoughts. "If Julian agreed to this, nothing's going to change his mind. He loves you, clearly. And let me tell you something—Julian is stubborn. If he didn't want to do this, he wouldn't. So, why are you so worried?"

I sigh, the weight of my anxiety pressing down on me. "I don't know. I guess... I just don't want to lose him."

He offers a small smile. "I'm Carl, by the way. I've heard a lot about you. Funny enough, the last time I checked, Julian was complaining non-stop about you, cursing your name. So how did you two end up in love? Don't answer that—it's rhetorical."

I chuckle calmly, grateful for the brief levity. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before," I say, hoping to place his familiar face.

"Friends with Julian," he explains. "But also, I had my wedding planned by your company."

"Oh, that's right!" I say, the memory clicking into place.

"Yeah. And listen, I can tell you're in a tough spot, but don't worry—love always wins." He adds.

After that, I find myself opening up to Carl, something I don't usually do with anyone, except Julian lately. I tell him the full story, and he listens without judgment. His advice is simple but reassuring. "Taking someone home to buy time is better than marrying someone you don't love. It's not ideal, but it's practical. Just be prepared for the consequences. And remember, I'm here if you need to talk or need help."

"Thank you," I say sincerely.

°

Suddenly, Julian appears at the top of the stairs, and my breath catches in my throat.

He's stunning—unrecognizable yet unmistakably himself.

He's wearing a flare, off-shoulder dress that hugs his frame perfectly, the fabric swaying with his every move. It's elegant, alluring, and utterly captivating.

His hair is styled impeccably. Loose strands frame his face at the front, giving him a soft, almost ethereal look, while the rest flows down his shoulders like silk, bouncing lightly with each step.

The makeup is minimal but flawless—just enough to highlight his already striking features. A hint of blush brings warmth to his cheeks, his eyelids shimmer subtly, and his lips are painted in the perfect shade, tying the entire look together.

I can't speak. I can't even move. My mouth goes dry, and all I can do is stare, completely mesmerized.

"Hey! Hello! Adam!" Julian snaps, waving a hand in front of my face. "If you love this version of me, I swear I'm taking all of this off and burning it to ashes!"

His voice snaps me back to reality.

"Are you even gay?!" he teases, feigning irritation. "The way you're reacting, you'd think you prefer me like this!"

I chuckle, finally finding my voice. "Julian, the fact remains—it's you, whether male or female. And yes, you look... beautiful. Truly."

His mock anger fades, replaced by a blush that spreads across his cheeks. He's been blushing so easily lately, and it's adorable.

"Should we go now?" he asks softly.

"Yeah, let's go."

"Good luck!" Carl and Ryan say in unison as we head to our respective cars.

Before Carl gets in, he calls out, "Update me!" I nod in agreement, and Julian waves at Ryan, who signals him to call later.

As we drive, I keep stealing glances at Julian, unable to help myself.

"Eyes on the road, Adam!" he snaps, though he's smirking.

"Can't help it," I murmur. "You're a distraction."

He mutters a curse under his breath, but the smile on his face tells me he doesn't mind.